In a peaceful coaching takeover, it is the Pomolita Middle School staff taking over the UHS hardwood for fall volleyball season, 2017. ‘Smooth as silk during the dead of night,’ as they say; the Pomolita braintrust eased into the big roles to conduct varsity (Amanda Brown), JV (Molly Thomas), and Frosh (Jim Evans). Brown and Thomas teach at Pomolita and Evans is a VP. This saves Evans a load of cash, since he was always in the stands cheering on his very athletic daughter, Valentina, in previous years. Bobbi Whyburn, the year-in and year-out volleyball presence also lends a hand among the coaching ranks.

And it took the players about 15 minutes to learn the new system. Hey, these girls are motivated. This isn’t college prep physics! They listened well, want to comply with their coach, want to fit in, they want to help the team, and they want to get better. Training looked organized, seamless from drill to drill and intelligently planned.

The new system? Yes, Amanda Brown has installed a quicker middle attack, low pass routine, featuring the twin 6’ towers in the middle: Valentina Evans and Kirsten Johnson and left side hitters: Gabrielle Petersen, Emily Tilley, and Mireya Galindo. I hadn’t seen 5’6” Galindo until practice today, where she busted out several successful hits from mid-court. She presents as smart and quick, with that “I’m taking you out” purple hair look. Impressive! And she wrestles too in the winter for the Wildcats.

“We’ll be about picking up the speed, by coming out hot and staying hot, Brown remarked. We don’t want to ease into games, but be a fast paced team. Low and fast passing; get the ball out of the setter’s hands into the middle and score.” Competing with the Cardinal of Cardinal Newman and the Vikes at Montgomery will be a test though. “Third is up for grab,” comments Brown.

Brown knows the girls on the court, having coached at UHS for four years, while working on her credential and teaching core subjects to sixth graders. This is a more rugged and physical squad than previously, it seems. Volleyball enthusiasts in Ukiah are ready for a team that can nudge above the 500-break-even level this year.

Amanda B had an unknown squad that went into Reno, Nevada during the summer. “But, we have club teams here in Ukiah, even though we were ranked 37th going into that tournament.” This is 16 years and under club volleyball, and Ukiah’s high flyers went undefeated for three days and won the title! Wildcat ladies who participated this summer: Kaitlin Manning, Victoria Ruiz, Mireya Galindo, Emily Tilley, and Amanda Rearden! This might be a very good sign!

In the team’s first scrimmage held at Kelseyville High School last week among: UHS, Kelseyville HS, Clear Lake High School and Healdsburg, the action really served as a last chance try-out for the 16 prospects. “We got to see the ladies perform during game conditions to finalize the roster,” added Amanda B.

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Clear Lake’s Cardinals will be the first home scrimmage for the Wildcats. “They looked strong with a heavy outside hitter. JV plays at 4:30 p.m. and the varsity starts winging it immediately following that game.”

There was no shortage of freshman coming out for volleyball. A total of 17 are frosh on the three squads. Five freshman girls made the JV squad: Kara Tellstron, Payton Ford, and Aliany Marquez (all from Pomolita), Nomiah Britton from Baechtel Grove (Willits), and Josie Woldmar from St. Marys.

Wildcat Volleyball raises funds through the annual Grass Tourney set for Saturday, Sept. 16, at Giorno Field (adjacent to Anton Stadium). If you think you can jump, put on them sneakers, sign onto the UHS facebook page and go for the glory! Or, come as a single and they’ll find a pick-up team for you. It’s an open tourney of 4 on 4.